It Takes More Than a Confession

Romans 10:9–10 KJV 1900

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

1 John 4:15 KJV 1900

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus—that is, probably, “If thou shalt confess Jesus [to be] the Lord,” which is the proper manifestation or evidence of faith (Mt 10:32; 1 Jn 4:15). This is put first merely to correspond with the foregoing quotation—“in thy mouth and in thine heart.” So in 2 Pe 1:10 the “calling of believers” is put before their “election,” as that which is first “made sure,” although in point of time it comes after it. and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised—“that God raised” him from the dead, &c.—(See on Ro 4:25). In Ro 10:10 the two things are placed in their natural order. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto—justifying righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation—This confession of Christ’s name, especially in times of persecution, and whenever obloquy is attached to the Christian profession, is an indispensable test of discipleship.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 248.

10:9 Describes an outward expression of inward trust. Paul does not regard believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth as separate activities, but as parts of a singular expression of faith in Jesus’ lordship. Paul presented God’s resurrection of Christ as the basis of the believer’s justification before God (see Rom 4:25; 5:1). Therefore, faith in the resurrection is essential. The resurrection also shows that God vindicated Christ from the shame of the cross (compare 9:33). Elsewhere in his letters, Paul associates Christ’s resurrection with His lordship (Eph 1:19–22; Phil 2:9). 10:10 Refers to a right relationship with God that has been restored after placing faith in Jesus as Lord (see Rom 5:1, 10; 8:1). Here the term is close in meaning to salvation. See note on 1:17. See note on v. 9.

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ro 10:9–10.